Steering-gear for traction-engines.



F. T. PLINGHBAUGH.

STEERING GEAR FOB. TBAUTION ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. Z8, 1908.

Patented May 4, 1909;

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F. T. FLINGHBAUGH.

STEERING GEAR EOE TEAoTIoN ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED HEBT. 28, 1908.

920, 1 25 Patented May 4, 1909.

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FREDERICK T. FLINOHBAUGH, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEERING-GEAR FOR TRACTION-ENGINES.

No. 920,125.l

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4; 1909.

Application filed September 28, 1908. Serial No. 455,125.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK T. FLrNcn- BAUGH, citizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering-Gear for Traction-Engines, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention provides a novel form of steering gear designed more particularly for traction engines, although adapted to road machines in which the steering wheels are mounted upon independent axles and adapted to be moved in the same direction to admit of a comparatively short turn being effected.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for eifecting the result, reference is to be had to the following descri tion and accompanying drawings.

hile the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown` in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the forward portion of a traction engine provided with steering gear embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the axle frame and parts mounted directly thereon. Fig. 3 is a section on the line A-B of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of the axle and bolster frames stripped and pivotally connected. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the bolster frame removed from the axle frame, showing the parts mounted directly thereon. Fig. 6 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on the line G-H of Fig. 5 of both the axle and bolster frames.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The invention contemplates an axle frame 1 and a bolster frame 11, the two being ivotally connected at S to admit of the axle rame turning about a longitudinal axis, thereby adapting the steering wheels 10 to the surface over which the engine or machine may be traveling, without producing strain upon the coperating parts and their mountings. The axle frame is tapered at opposite ends, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2,

and is provided at its extremities with vertical sleeves a in which are mounted vertical journals 3 of the axles. A pair of ears 6 and 7 are provided medially of each transverse bar of the axle frame and extend vertically and embrace opposite sides of pendent portions of the bolster frame 11, the several overlapped parts being apertured in coincident relation to receive pivot fastenings 8 which aline longitudinally and form the axis about which the axle frame oscillates.

There are two axles 9, similar in construction and upon which are mounted the steering wheels 10, said axles being provided with vertical spindles 3 which extend within the adjacent sleeves al and which form pivots for said axles. A toothed segment 2 is formed with or connected to each s indle 3 and also to the inner end of each ax e 9, said toothed segments being adapted to mesh with a pinion 4, having a spindle 5 which is mounted in a center bar or plate forming a part of the axle frame 1. As the pinion 4 is turned, the axles upon opposite sides are correspondingly turned about the vertical s indles 3, thereby turning the steering whee s 10 to properly direct the machine or part to which the invention may be applied.

The bolster frame comprises yoke arts to which the forward ends of the longitudinal bars 12 of the engine frame are attached. The bolster frame comprises longitudinally spaced parts, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 5, said parts being connected by the bars 12 and having pendent portions pivoted to the pairs of spaced ears 6 and 7. A late 15 is firmly connected at its ends to the lbngitudinal bars 12 and is provided at a central point with a vertical opening in which a sha'l t 14 is mounted and with lugs in which a transverse shaft 17 is mounted, said shaft projecting beyond one of the longitudinal ars' 12 and provided with a gear Wheel 18- which is in mesh with a pinion 19 at the lower front end of the steering shaft 22 which extends within convenient reach of the operator. A worm 0ear 13 is fast to the upper end of the vertical shaft 14 and meshes w1th a worm 16 fast to the inner end of shaft 17. The lower end of the shaft 14 is provided with a clutch member 23 which is in engagement with a companion clutch member forming a part of the pinion 4. The clutch members are at all times in interlocking engagement, but have ample relative play to admit of the axle frame oscillating according as the Wheels l0 rise and fallin adapting themselves to the condition of the road or other surface about xv hich the .axle frame oscillates, there- 4 by obv'iating binding. or clamping of the parts of the clutch When in operation.

lt is to be understood that the bolster frame .is xed with reference to the main frame of the engine or other machine equipped with the invention and that the axle frame is mounted to have a limi-ted oscillatory movement to admit kof one Wheel dropping into a rut or depression or passing over an obstruction Without straining 'the parts or Icrippling the running gear. The steering is effected by means zof the shaft 22 Whichmay be turned either to the right or to the left according to the direction to be traversed. By having the parts arranged in the man-ner set forth, :a substantial structure is provided Aand the steering may be positively 'effected by .intermeshing gearing, thereby -obviating any .appreciable lost motion, .such as commonly :experienced Whena cable or chain is employed for transmitting power from the steering shaft to the steering Wheels.

Having :thus described the invention, vwhat is claimed `as neeT is:

1,. ln steering mechanism of the character described, the combination 4of relatively upper and ylovver frames pivotally connected, axles mounted upon the loiver frame pivotally connected, axles mounted upon the lower frame and provided Twith steering Wheels at their outer ends and with toothed segments at their inner ends, a pinion mounted upon the loiver frame and in mesh With said toothed segments and having a half clutch, and vpower transmission gearing mounted u )on the upper frame and including a half clutch in mesh with the vaforementioned half clutch -of the pinion land having relative play to .admit of the :lo-2er frame having limited oscillatory movement.

.2. In steering mechanism, the combina'- ti'on of an axle frame provided at opposite ends Ywith vertical sleeves, axles, provided with Vspindles journaled in said sleeves, a

toothed segment at the inner end of each axle and carried by the spindles, and a pinion mounted centrally of the axle frame and in mesh with the toothed segments to impart movement thereto.

in steering mechanism of the character specified, the combination of a bolster frame, an axle frame pivo'tally connected to the bolster frame to admit of its having a limited oscillatory movement, axles mounted upon opposite ends of the axle frame and provided with steering Wheels, toothed segments at the inner ends of the axles,-a pinion mount* ed centrally of the axle frame Jand in mesh With said toothed segments, 1a shaft mounted vertically in the loo ster frame in line with the axis of said pinion, means for Iimparting movement to said shaft to effect steering of the machine, and clutch between the said shaft and pinion land comprising 4cooperating members having relative play to admit of free oscillatory movement of the axle frame.

4. Steering mechanism lcomprising the following elements in combination, namely, an axle frame `provided with vertical sleeves at opposite ends, axles provided "with spindles journaled in said sleeves, Wheels mounted upon the axles, toothed segments at the inner ends of the axles and operatively connecte-d 'with the spindles, -a pinion mounted upon the axle 'frame and in mesh with said toothed segments an-d provided with Aa h-alf clutch, la bolster frame, means pivotally connecting the axle frame with thebolster frame to admit of the axle frame having free oscillatory movement, a shaft journaled in the bolster frame, a clutch member carried by said shaft and in mesh `with the clutch member lof the aforesaid pini-on, the tivo clutch members having relative play to admi-t fof the vaxle frame oscillating, -a worm gear fitted to said shaft, a transverse shaft having a Worm l thread in mesh -with the Worm gear, and 'a steering shaft geared to 'the shaft provided with the Worm gear.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of 'tv-fo Witnesses.

FREDERICK fr, rtixcntiueii. [n a] .litnesses G. Ross BOND, JOHN E. Eoin 

